I am not scared of threats; I will continue the mission for recovery of abducted Baloch activists: Qadeer Baloch
The Vice Chairman of Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP), Qadeer Baloch, has been protesting for the recovery of Baloch Missing Persons from past over two years. The VBMP has been protesting in different cities and towns of Baloch and abroad i.e. Islamabad and Karachi for the safe recovery of abducted Baloch. Hundreds of abducted Baloch including the son of Qadeer Baloch, Mr Jalil Reki were killed and dumped by Pakistani security agencies – and the massacre of continues! So does the protest of families of Baloch missing persons. Currently Qadeer Baloch is sitting in a protest camp in front of Karachi Press Club. In recent days he has been under immense pressure from the administration of Press Club to end the protest camp.
Following is his interview with DailyTawar ( www.dailytawar.com) an Urdu daily published from Mastung Balochistan. Tawar mostly covers the issues about the current situations of Balochistan.
Tawar: When was the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) established?
Qadeer Baloch: The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons was established when Pakistani security agencies (FC, ISI, MI) started abducting, torturing and killing innocent Baloch youth, lawyers, doctors, engineers, students and political activists. We used to hear the ordeals of abducted Baloch from their families. We felt that so called parliamentarians (Pro-parliament Baloch leaders) who are part and parcel the Pakistani government cannot resolve this issue, neither was [resolving this issue] it in their capability. In fact their hands are soaked with blood of innocent Baloch. They are doing business in the name of and on the bodies of Baloch martyrs. The number of victims of kill and dump was increasing every day. So, we called a meeting of the families of abducted Baloch activists. Around 100 families of forced-disappeared Baloch participated in our meeting. We came up with the idea of naming our organisation ‘Voice for Baloch Missing persons’ and to work under this name for the recovery of our beloved ones. After a thorough discussion we chose leaders including Chairman, Vice chairman, Finance Secretary, information secretary and we also named our co-ordinators in different towns of Balochistan who primarily are members of the families of abducted Baloch. This Organisation was established on 28 October 2009.
Tawar: You have been protesting under this platform for a long time but have you succeeded in security any abducted Baloch that you’re still continuing this work (protests)?
Qadeer Baloch: Yes, our hunger strike camp entered its 710th day. We have been protesting in different cities including Karachi and Quetta. The benefit we gained is that we have succeeded to tell the world the precise figures of abducted and killed Baloch because the government of Pakistan says only 42 Baloch are missing and 16 have been martyred. However, we are telling that world that the number of abducted Baloch activists is 14385 among them over 400 have been killed under-custody by Pakistani security agencies. In addition around 200 Baloch activists have been target killed including professor Saba Dashtyari, Dr Ishaq, Ali Sher Kurd, Dr Baqir Shah, Mohammad Yaseen (a member of VBMP) and Faqeer Mohammad Ajiz (a co-ordinator of VBMP).
The second benefit is that the International community including European Union, America and International Human Rights Organisations including Amnesty International showed their concerned about Human Rights Violations in Balochistan and urged Pakistan to stop such atrocities. 14 August 2011 the Amnesty International has released a report which mentioned that number of the recovery of mutilated bodies in Balochistan is increasing. Amnesty International has also appealed Pakistan to released illegally detained persons in Balochistan as it was a clear violation of their human rights. Similarly, the Asian Human Rights Commission has reported that Pakistani security agencies are involved in gross human rights violations in Balochistan. They urged Pakistan to immediately take notice of security forces atrocities in Balochistan. Furthermore Michele Montas, spokeswomen for the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has also expressed concerned about the killings of Baloch leaders and activists and urged Pakistan to immediately investigate these issues. This all happened due the hunger strike camp of the families of Baloch Missing Persons. Our voice reached and echoes in entire world and they know about the atrocities against Baloch people in Balochistan.
Tawar: There are conflicting figures about abducted Baloch. What is the correct figure and do you have authentic documents? Is this confusion not affecting the case of Baloch missing Persons in Pakistan and on International level?
Qadeer Baloch: Only the voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) has the correct information about abducted and martyred Baloch activists. We have risked our lives in this short time and done a lot of work to collect the data of abducted and killed Baloch. We have our co-ordinators in every district of Balochistan. Whenever a person is disappeared or killed in any districts (or its jurisdiction) of Balochistan our members will arrive there to get their information. We also get information through our own sources if a co-ordinator is not able to go there. Balochistan is a vast region and it not possible for anyone to collect the data but we have people everywhere in Balochistan. Some people give wrong figures to media which is their own made up story. We have provided the exact figures to Amnesty International, United Nations, Balochistan High Court, Supreme Court of Pakistan and several other departments. In fact 300 cases have been register with UN (WGID) Working Group on Involuntary Disappearance. They have spoken with family members of enforced-disappeared persons for verification and further information.
We do not bluff like Rehman Malik who lies before media and says that only 42 people are missing from Balochistan. In fact we have always been speaking to media that 14385 people are missing from Balochistan among them are 200 women and 169 Children aged 2-10 years old. Over 400 Baloch have been killed under-custody and their bodies have been dumped in deserted areas across Balochistan. All these people had been abducted by Pakistani security agencies. We have huge number of pictures at our camp when Pakistani and International media see these pictures they go in a state of shock.
Tawar: How many families of Baloch missing Persons have joined the platform of VBMP?
Qadeer Baloch: All the families of Baloch missing person are with VBMP. You must have noticed when we organise rallies and protests; most of the participants are families and relatives of abducted Baloch. Other well-wishers and sympathisers also join our protests to express their solidarity with the families of Baloch abducted persons. I must clarify that Balochistan is a massive region and that is why it is not possible for all the families to join our camp and protest at one time. Also Balochistan has been turned into a No-Go area people cannot travel freely and the second reason is people are not financially well-off to join us everywhere. In Karachi there are around 20 families with me at the moment. When we go to Islamabad around 20 or 30 families accompany us. However, the families of all abducted Baloch are in contact with us.
Tawar: You, Baloch pro-liberation parties and parliamentarian parties blame FC (security agencies) for abduction of Baloch missing person. Do you have any proof of their involvement?
Qadeer Baloch: Yes, you are saying this is an allegation – this not a blame this is the reality. We have submitted all the evidence to Court and JITs (Joint Investigation Teams). Passengers have been off-loaded from busses by the FC in front of all fellow passengers. On several occasions the security agencies raided houses and identified themselves as personnel of Intelligence Agencies of Pakistan and arrested people – later their bodies were found. People have been abducted in cities and form their offices.
When Zakir Majeed Baloch, Senior Vice Chairman, of BSO-Azad was arrested by security agencies there were two other friends with him; they were beaten up and later released. They’re the eye-witnesses to his abduction. Sangat Sana Baloch was abducted from Kolpur, Balochistan when he was accompanied by his cousins and driver. They gave evidence in court and said that security agencies abducted Sana Sangat Baloch.
Jalil Reki (Qadeer Baloch’s son) was about in broad day light in front of his friends. They gave statements on oath and gave evidence in courts. The main witness in case of Jalil Reki is Nawab Aslam Raisani, the Chief Minister of Balochistan, as he admitted with Amna Janjua that ISI has abducted Jalil Reki and they (ISI) have informed Mr Raisani of Reki’s abduction. What other clear proof can one provide other than this? Mir Abdul Ghaffar Langove Baloch was abducted from a Hospital in Karachi in front of his family and children. He was dragged to the car of security agencies in a bazaar packed with people. Do you think no one has seen them abducting Mr Langove?
Similarly, Sameer Rind was abducted in midnight from his house. His entire family is the eye-witness to his abduction. Iqbal Baloch was abducted on 14 August 2007 while he was out for picnic with his friends. He was abducted in front of his friends – they all gave evidence in courts. Hameed Shaheen was off-loaded from a passenger coach at Luck Pass near Quetta. There were at least 50 other passengers in that coach and they all saw the FC personnel abducting Mr Shaheen.
Tawar: Do people resist during abduction? Can you elaborate on that?
Qadeer Baloch: Yes, there are several such incidents where people try to resist their arrest. At the time of Jalil Reki’s arrest when they (security personnel) called his name, Jalil Reki went closer to them and realised that they were personnel of intelligence agencies, he turned back and tried to run away but they pointed guns at him and warned him “DON’T RUN OR WE WILL SHOOT YOU”.
In second incident when the security agencies raided the house of Sameer Rind Baloch in Turbat and broke into his house in mid-night, his sister tried to resist brother’s arrest. The security personnel pushed her and she fell on ground – they told her “IF YOU TRY TO SCREAM WE WILL KILL YOU”.
Arif Noor Baloch was an engineer. His house in Karachi was raided in the middle of night and when they arrested him. His aged mother held the holy Quran and asked the Pakistani security agencies that for sake of the Quran don’t take my son and that he is innocent. The Pakistani security agencies pushed her on the ground along with the Quran and said we have seen several such Qurans. Do the Muslim people in Islamic country do such things, disrespect an aged mother and a religious book, the Quran?
When the Quran was disrespected in Afghanistan, the Pakistani religious scholars had protested in every corner and street of Pakistan but here (in Balochistan) when their own agencies are involved in disrespecting the religious book all (the Mullahs) are silent and pretend that they know nothing. The family of Arif Noor Baloch has even mentioned this in their press releases and protests but nobody gave any attention.
Yes, we were talking of resistance! When first time they tried to arrested Sana Sangat they chased him from Mastung to Kadh Kocha, an area in adjacent of Mastung town, Balcohistan. They fired bullets at him and he run into a Jangle where he fell and he was badly injured but luckily he survived. Later they abducted him for second time and on 13 February 2012 his body was found.
Tawar: You have established protest camps in Karachi, Quetta and Islamabad to record your protest. Do you plan the same thing abroad to make your voice heard?
Qadeer Baloch: Yes, in foreign countries including America, France, UK, Norway and other countries we intend to go there, establish hunger strike camps and protest, if the government of Pakistan allows us. On International levels there have been protests against enforced-disappearance and against the recovery of bullet riddle bodies of Baloch activists but there is no hunger strike camp. We, the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, will write a letter to government of Pakistan to give us permission so that we can go abroad and establish our camp there as well.
Tawar: You have been protesting from past two year but nobody listened to you. What do you plan to do next?
Qadeer Baloch: The government of Pakistan, the President, the Prime Minister and the upper house (Senate) are all helpless. The only powerful institutions are the army and intelligence agencies who abducted people torture them for more or less three or four years and then kill them in custody and throw their bodies in jangle or deserted areas. How will they (security agencies) listen to us? Did you hear a murderer ever heed to the cries of his victims?
However, the International Community knows about our hunger strike camp and they are listening and observing because there are international laws against enforced-disappearances. Our voice has reached to the world and the pressure is mounting on Pakistan to stop human rights violations in Balochistan. The government of Pakistan has been disgraced on International level. As for future plan, we will continue our mission but the only condition is if we are not abducted or killed because we are receiving threats on daily basis but we will not be intimidated by those threats.
Tawar: When the mutilated bodies of abducted Baloch are discovered. What sort of torture is inflicted on them?
Qadeer Baloch: The families of the victims usually see the mutilated bodies of their loved ones. Most often there are bullet wounds on in heads, chest and upper torso. In addition to bullet wounds they are brutally tortured before killing. Several have broken arms and legs. Several had been burnt with either cigarettes or hot irons. Many of the bodies that we found had been drilled. Their nose, skull, hand and legs were broken.
I have seen Jalil Reki with my own eyes he was shot in the head and there were three bullet wounds on his chest. His back had several burnt wounds of either cigarettes or hot Irons and the finger of his left hand of also broken. Sana Sangat’s body was found in a similar state. He had 28 bullet wound in his chest and back. He had been drilled his hands and legs were broken.
In short all the bodies that have been found so far they were are brutally tortured and had clear marks of inhuman torture – none of them was in good shape. Five bodies were found from near Pashin, Balochistan, chemicals were poured on those bodies because only their bones were found in a sack. These were few examples of the torture that our beloved ones suffer at the hands of Pakistani security forces.
Tawar: How satisfied are you with the commissions about missing persons? Have you presented your list to the commission?
Qadeer Baloch: You asked about the commission for missing person so I want to tell you that the commission is also helpless like other institutions. Now they also speak the same language as the Intelligence agencies because at the time of hearing we were sitting parallel to each other and whatever the intelligence agencies were saying the head of the commission was saying the same thing. As for the list yes we did give complete list to them and other departments. By the way talking about commission I remembered something! Few days ago a state run TV was running the news that the commission has announced that missing Jalil Reki, Sangat Sana, Ghaffar Langove, and Sameer Rind along with other 18 Baloch activists are in the custody of intelligence agencies.
This is the work of commission you see! Gharraf Langove’s body was found on 1st Jun 2011, two months later Sameer Rind was killed, on 22 November 2011 Jalil Reki’s body was found and Sangat Sana’s mutilated body was discovered on 13 February 2012. The news of their martyrdom was published in newspapers and recently there was an editorial on a national newspaper about their killing. The commission by making such announcements is rubbing salt to the wounds of their families.
I leave it on you to decide that how happy and satisfied of the families of abducted Baloch would be from such a commission. These commissions are just lip service that is why we have boycotted them.
Tawar: How many cases the Supreme Court has resolved so far? Have you ever been called to give evidence?
Qadeer Baloch: Supreme Court has not resolved a single case from Balochistan neither did it recovered any missing person. It has been around eight year now since Ali Asghar Bangulzai’s case was submitted to Supreme Court whereas he has been missing from past elven year. In March 2011 we went to Islamabad and established our camp there and on 17 March 2011 in the Supreme Court of Pakistan a three-judge bench headed by Justice Javid Iqbal was assigned to hear the cases of missing persons. The families of missing persons from Balochistan also took part in that hearing; they presented their witnesses and evidence. The families of Ali Asghar Bangulzai, Jalel Reki, Dr Deen Mohammad, Ghaffar Langove, Zakir Majeed, Sameer Rind, Iqbal Baloch, Siddique Edo and Kareem Jan Baloch stood in witness box and gave evidence. They also present their witnesses.
The witnesses of Jalil Reki – Amna Janjua, Nasrullah Baloch and Shahzad Zaffar told the judge on oath that Aslam Raisani, the Chief Minister of Balochistan, told them that the ISI has admitted to abduct Jalil Reki. The FIR of Jalil Reki’s abduction is registered against ISI’s brigadier Saad Khatak and head of FC Major General Saleem Nawaz.
Justice Javid Iqbal has heard our full evidence and ordeals and assured that our loved ones will reach home even before we arrive there. This news was given full coverage by electronic and print media. We hadn’t even reached to the protest camp when we started to receive phone calls. People from Balochistan were congratulating us and distributing sweets because the order of Supreme Court was not ordinary news.
We went back to Balochistan with the hope that our loved ones will be releases soon but one month later we received the dead body of Ghaffar Langove which was followed by mutilated and tortured bodies of Sameer Rind, Jalil Reki and Sangat Sana Baloch. Now you tell me how should we believe the Pakistani Courts or Judiciary?
Tawar: Why the released/recovered people are not brought before the media?
Qadeer Baloch: If you’re talking about Intelligence agencies, how will they bring them before media when they’re in denial about their abductions and whereabouts? If they bring them before media they (ISI) will be humiliated and their dirty secrets will be exposed to world community. If you mean why the abducted persons don’t come before media after their release then the reason is they are too scared to expose the Pakistani security agencies crimes against humanity. If they come on media and say everything about how they were treated in custody of security forces, then they will be re-arrested and killed. Only few lucky people have been released and they were warned before setting them free that if you talk to media or narrate your ordeal to anyone – you will be arrested again and killed. These people even do not speak to their own families in fear of being arrested again.
In the beginning few people came before media and exposed the torture they suffered but they were later arrested and killed. The example of Shaheed Nasir Dagarzai is enough in this regards.
Tawar: Why did the families of Missing person rejected the offer of financial assistance from the Commission?
Qadeer Baloch: As you are aware that Baloch Nation has its own culture and traditions. When engaged with an enemy we do not take blood money but people take their revenge. No matter if the enemy is their own (from same Nation, tribe) or a foreigner. Sometime it takes years to get the revenge. According Baloch tradition (Tribal code) if a person is killed then tribal elders will go to the house of the victim – in Balochi it is called “Meyd” meaning to go and ask for pardon – the family of the victim often forgives the perpetrator without taking blood money.
However, here [with Pakistan] the situation is different. The enemy abducts our beloved ones either in broad day light or in the darkness of night and then subjects them to inhuman torture for several years. Later they’re [the loved ones] killed and their bodies dumped in deserted areas. The victims are absolutely innocent; they committed no crime whatsoever. The perpetrators also psychologically torture the families of these victims for years and then offer them money. If someone asks you to give me your child, I will torture him/her for years and then kill him/her. For this you will be paid whatever sum you want – this a matter of shame for a Baloch to sell their martyrs. Similarly, the abducted Baloch who are bearing enemy’s torture and humiliation; how do you expect their families to take money and enjoy life?
These people (Baloch loved ones) have been abducted for raising voice for their freedom and freedom of Balochistan. They have been abducted and killed for speaking against the illegal occupation of their motherland. Selling their sacrifices in return of money is not a part of Baloch tradition. However, there might be such traditions in other nations.
Tawar: How satisfied are you with media about your struggle?
Qadeer Baloch: We have been continuously struggling for two year and we are not satisfied with the role of print and electronic media at all. However, among print media we satisfied with two very small newspapers ‘TAWAR’ and there is a new newspaper called ‘GIROKH’ and among electronic media we’re satisfied with only VSH NEWS.
As for as Pakistani media concerned there are few anchor-persons who in their personal capacity or on humanitarian basis have taken interest in our struggle. Those people include Hamid Mir of Geo TV, Sofia Bibi ex-anchor-person of Dawn TV, Mohammad Hanif of BBC Urdu, Riyaz Suhail and Sherjail have been co-operative and we’re satisfied with them.
Believe me twice I had Press Conferences in Karachi Press Club and the presence print and electronic media was almost non-existence. On 11 March we took out a rally from Art Council to Karachi Press Club, there was no media at all. The BBC had also reported about this.
Tawar: Are you getting any sort of financial support from Baloch Nation?
Qadeer Baloch: The amount of love, respect and encouragement that I am getting from Baloch Nation is more than the help of entire world. The hunger strike camp is not a business camp. It is a requirement as well as a source to be in contact with families of Baloch Missing Persons and martyrs. From here the voice of the families of Baloch martyrs and abducted persons reaches to the world community. As for you’re concerned about financial difficulties so I want to tell you that families of abducted Baloch help run the camp. Well, not all families are capable of help but some prominent families contribute to our camp. Other than that we do not get any help from abroad or internally. We are always ready for any accountability for this.
Tawar: What are the feelings of the families Baloch victims their loved one?
Qadeer Baloch: The families of martyrs and abducted Baloch are pretty hopeful. If any of their loved ones return alive and safe from the custody of Pakistani intelligence agencies that is good, but if they are martyred in custody we will be happy that our beloved one has sacrificed his life for freedom of motherland. Few people are lucky to embrace martyrdom for the protection of their motherland. There are mothers who say that “My son has been martyred for his mother land and I wish I too was martyred for the same cause”. Every Baloch mother, father, brother and sister’s feeling is that unlucky is the person who do not wish martyrdom for his/her motherland.
Tawar: In Karachi, do feel like you’re among your own people or in a foreign land?
Qadeer Baloch: feeling aloneness in Karachi is out of question because Karachi is also a part of Balochistan – if Balochistan become independence Karachi will remain with Balochistan because historically Karachi was part Balochistan. The love of the Baloch of Karachi always forces me to come to here. After Quetta, Karachi is the place where we organise most of our rallies and protest demonstrations. It is my own country and I get even more respect here than in home – this love comes from my mothers, daughters and sons. One feels loneliness when (s)he live among foreigners; I am living among my own people.
Tawar: Due to continuous hunger strike have your ever felt depressed or fed up?
Qadeer Baloch: This is such a great mission where depression and getting tired is out of question because when early in the morning [10 o clock] I open the camp and see the faces of Baloch martyrs and abducted person; it makes my heart feel calm and my resolve fresh. When I feel the smell of the fragrance of the blood of martyrs my heart and mind become refreshed and all the tiredness disappears by itself. When I see the picture of my son, Jalil Reki, then I say to myself that alas I too was martyred for my motherland like you.
So, because of the pictures of the Martyrs and abducted Baloch I never get tired depressed or feel alone. Additionally, the love of Baloch nation has erased my all worries.
Tawar: You have been threatened to end the protest, what do you think about your recent arrest and release?
Qadeer Baloch: Ever since I started this protest I have been under the radar of ISI, FC and other security agencies. I have never been scared of their threats before neither do I fear them now. There have always been hurdles when people chose the difficult path. I am receiving threats here [in Karachi]. They have dismantled my protest camp three times and after that I was arrested along with two other friends. They detained us for four hours and then freed us but I am not scared of these acts. We faced similar difficulties when we were protesting in Islamabad. Twice we went to Islamabad and the police have arrested us and detained for hours but later released us.
Courtesy: DailyTawar
Translate by: BalochWarna
Following is his interview with DailyTawar ( www.dailytawar.com) an Urdu daily published from Mastung Balochistan. Tawar mostly covers the issues about the current situations of Balochistan.
Tawar: When was the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) established?
Qadeer Baloch: The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons was established when Pakistani security agencies (FC, ISI, MI) started abducting, torturing and killing innocent Baloch youth, lawyers, doctors, engineers, students and political activists. We used to hear the ordeals of abducted Baloch from their families. We felt that so called parliamentarians (Pro-parliament Baloch leaders) who are part and parcel the Pakistani government cannot resolve this issue, neither was [resolving this issue] it in their capability. In fact their hands are soaked with blood of innocent Baloch. They are doing business in the name of and on the bodies of Baloch martyrs. The number of victims of kill and dump was increasing every day. So, we called a meeting of the families of abducted Baloch activists. Around 100 families of forced-disappeared Baloch participated in our meeting. We came up with the idea of naming our organisation ‘Voice for Baloch Missing persons’ and to work under this name for the recovery of our beloved ones. After a thorough discussion we chose leaders including Chairman, Vice chairman, Finance Secretary, information secretary and we also named our co-ordinators in different towns of Balochistan who primarily are members of the families of abducted Baloch. This Organisation was established on 28 October 2009.
Tawar: You have been protesting under this platform for a long time but have you succeeded in security any abducted Baloch that you’re still continuing this work (protests)?
Qadeer Baloch: Yes, our hunger strike camp entered its 710th day. We have been protesting in different cities including Karachi and Quetta. The benefit we gained is that we have succeeded to tell the world the precise figures of abducted and killed Baloch because the government of Pakistan says only 42 Baloch are missing and 16 have been martyred. However, we are telling that world that the number of abducted Baloch activists is 14385 among them over 400 have been killed under-custody by Pakistani security agencies. In addition around 200 Baloch activists have been target killed including professor Saba Dashtyari, Dr Ishaq, Ali Sher Kurd, Dr Baqir Shah, Mohammad Yaseen (a member of VBMP) and Faqeer Mohammad Ajiz (a co-ordinator of VBMP).
The second benefit is that the International community including European Union, America and International Human Rights Organisations including Amnesty International showed their concerned about Human Rights Violations in Balochistan and urged Pakistan to stop such atrocities. 14 August 2011 the Amnesty International has released a report which mentioned that number of the recovery of mutilated bodies in Balochistan is increasing. Amnesty International has also appealed Pakistan to released illegally detained persons in Balochistan as it was a clear violation of their human rights. Similarly, the Asian Human Rights Commission has reported that Pakistani security agencies are involved in gross human rights violations in Balochistan. They urged Pakistan to immediately take notice of security forces atrocities in Balochistan. Furthermore Michele Montas, spokeswomen for the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has also expressed concerned about the killings of Baloch leaders and activists and urged Pakistan to immediately investigate these issues. This all happened due the hunger strike camp of the families of Baloch Missing Persons. Our voice reached and echoes in entire world and they know about the atrocities against Baloch people in Balochistan.
Tawar: There are conflicting figures about abducted Baloch. What is the correct figure and do you have authentic documents? Is this confusion not affecting the case of Baloch missing Persons in Pakistan and on International level?
Qadeer Baloch: Only the voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) has the correct information about abducted and martyred Baloch activists. We have risked our lives in this short time and done a lot of work to collect the data of abducted and killed Baloch. We have our co-ordinators in every district of Balochistan. Whenever a person is disappeared or killed in any districts (or its jurisdiction) of Balochistan our members will arrive there to get their information. We also get information through our own sources if a co-ordinator is not able to go there. Balochistan is a vast region and it not possible for anyone to collect the data but we have people everywhere in Balochistan. Some people give wrong figures to media which is their own made up story. We have provided the exact figures to Amnesty International, United Nations, Balochistan High Court, Supreme Court of Pakistan and several other departments. In fact 300 cases have been register with UN (WGID) Working Group on Involuntary Disappearance. They have spoken with family members of enforced-disappeared persons for verification and further information.
We do not bluff like Rehman Malik who lies before media and says that only 42 people are missing from Balochistan. In fact we have always been speaking to media that 14385 people are missing from Balochistan among them are 200 women and 169 Children aged 2-10 years old. Over 400 Baloch have been killed under-custody and their bodies have been dumped in deserted areas across Balochistan. All these people had been abducted by Pakistani security agencies. We have huge number of pictures at our camp when Pakistani and International media see these pictures they go in a state of shock.
Tawar: How many families of Baloch missing Persons have joined the platform of VBMP?
Qadeer Baloch: All the families of Baloch missing person are with VBMP. You must have noticed when we organise rallies and protests; most of the participants are families and relatives of abducted Baloch. Other well-wishers and sympathisers also join our protests to express their solidarity with the families of Baloch abducted persons. I must clarify that Balochistan is a massive region and that is why it is not possible for all the families to join our camp and protest at one time. Also Balochistan has been turned into a No-Go area people cannot travel freely and the second reason is people are not financially well-off to join us everywhere. In Karachi there are around 20 families with me at the moment. When we go to Islamabad around 20 or 30 families accompany us. However, the families of all abducted Baloch are in contact with us.
Tawar: You, Baloch pro-liberation parties and parliamentarian parties blame FC (security agencies) for abduction of Baloch missing person. Do you have any proof of their involvement?
Qadeer Baloch: Yes, you are saying this is an allegation – this not a blame this is the reality. We have submitted all the evidence to Court and JITs (Joint Investigation Teams). Passengers have been off-loaded from busses by the FC in front of all fellow passengers. On several occasions the security agencies raided houses and identified themselves as personnel of Intelligence Agencies of Pakistan and arrested people – later their bodies were found. People have been abducted in cities and form their offices.
When Zakir Majeed Baloch, Senior Vice Chairman, of BSO-Azad was arrested by security agencies there were two other friends with him; they were beaten up and later released. They’re the eye-witnesses to his abduction. Sangat Sana Baloch was abducted from Kolpur, Balochistan when he was accompanied by his cousins and driver. They gave evidence in court and said that security agencies abducted Sana Sangat Baloch.
Jalil Reki (Qadeer Baloch’s son) was about in broad day light in front of his friends. They gave statements on oath and gave evidence in courts. The main witness in case of Jalil Reki is Nawab Aslam Raisani, the Chief Minister of Balochistan, as he admitted with Amna Janjua that ISI has abducted Jalil Reki and they (ISI) have informed Mr Raisani of Reki’s abduction. What other clear proof can one provide other than this? Mir Abdul Ghaffar Langove Baloch was abducted from a Hospital in Karachi in front of his family and children. He was dragged to the car of security agencies in a bazaar packed with people. Do you think no one has seen them abducting Mr Langove?
Similarly, Sameer Rind was abducted in midnight from his house. His entire family is the eye-witness to his abduction. Iqbal Baloch was abducted on 14 August 2007 while he was out for picnic with his friends. He was abducted in front of his friends – they all gave evidence in courts. Hameed Shaheen was off-loaded from a passenger coach at Luck Pass near Quetta. There were at least 50 other passengers in that coach and they all saw the FC personnel abducting Mr Shaheen.
Tawar: Do people resist during abduction? Can you elaborate on that?
Qadeer Baloch: Yes, there are several such incidents where people try to resist their arrest. At the time of Jalil Reki’s arrest when they (security personnel) called his name, Jalil Reki went closer to them and realised that they were personnel of intelligence agencies, he turned back and tried to run away but they pointed guns at him and warned him “DON’T RUN OR WE WILL SHOOT YOU”.
In second incident when the security agencies raided the house of Sameer Rind Baloch in Turbat and broke into his house in mid-night, his sister tried to resist brother’s arrest. The security personnel pushed her and she fell on ground – they told her “IF YOU TRY TO SCREAM WE WILL KILL YOU”.
Arif Noor Baloch was an engineer. His house in Karachi was raided in the middle of night and when they arrested him. His aged mother held the holy Quran and asked the Pakistani security agencies that for sake of the Quran don’t take my son and that he is innocent. The Pakistani security agencies pushed her on the ground along with the Quran and said we have seen several such Qurans. Do the Muslim people in Islamic country do such things, disrespect an aged mother and a religious book, the Quran?
When the Quran was disrespected in Afghanistan, the Pakistani religious scholars had protested in every corner and street of Pakistan but here (in Balochistan) when their own agencies are involved in disrespecting the religious book all (the Mullahs) are silent and pretend that they know nothing. The family of Arif Noor Baloch has even mentioned this in their press releases and protests but nobody gave any attention.
Yes, we were talking of resistance! When first time they tried to arrested Sana Sangat they chased him from Mastung to Kadh Kocha, an area in adjacent of Mastung town, Balcohistan. They fired bullets at him and he run into a Jangle where he fell and he was badly injured but luckily he survived. Later they abducted him for second time and on 13 February 2012 his body was found.
Tawar: You have established protest camps in Karachi, Quetta and Islamabad to record your protest. Do you plan the same thing abroad to make your voice heard?
Qadeer Baloch: Yes, in foreign countries including America, France, UK, Norway and other countries we intend to go there, establish hunger strike camps and protest, if the government of Pakistan allows us. On International levels there have been protests against enforced-disappearance and against the recovery of bullet riddle bodies of Baloch activists but there is no hunger strike camp. We, the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, will write a letter to government of Pakistan to give us permission so that we can go abroad and establish our camp there as well.
Tawar: You have been protesting from past two year but nobody listened to you. What do you plan to do next?
Qadeer Baloch: The government of Pakistan, the President, the Prime Minister and the upper house (Senate) are all helpless. The only powerful institutions are the army and intelligence agencies who abducted people torture them for more or less three or four years and then kill them in custody and throw their bodies in jangle or deserted areas. How will they (security agencies) listen to us? Did you hear a murderer ever heed to the cries of his victims?
However, the International Community knows about our hunger strike camp and they are listening and observing because there are international laws against enforced-disappearances. Our voice has reached to the world and the pressure is mounting on Pakistan to stop human rights violations in Balochistan. The government of Pakistan has been disgraced on International level. As for future plan, we will continue our mission but the only condition is if we are not abducted or killed because we are receiving threats on daily basis but we will not be intimidated by those threats.
Tawar: When the mutilated bodies of abducted Baloch are discovered. What sort of torture is inflicted on them?
Qadeer Baloch: The families of the victims usually see the mutilated bodies of their loved ones. Most often there are bullet wounds on in heads, chest and upper torso. In addition to bullet wounds they are brutally tortured before killing. Several have broken arms and legs. Several had been burnt with either cigarettes or hot irons. Many of the bodies that we found had been drilled. Their nose, skull, hand and legs were broken.
I have seen Jalil Reki with my own eyes he was shot in the head and there were three bullet wounds on his chest. His back had several burnt wounds of either cigarettes or hot Irons and the finger of his left hand of also broken. Sana Sangat’s body was found in a similar state. He had 28 bullet wound in his chest and back. He had been drilled his hands and legs were broken.
In short all the bodies that have been found so far they were are brutally tortured and had clear marks of inhuman torture – none of them was in good shape. Five bodies were found from near Pashin, Balochistan, chemicals were poured on those bodies because only their bones were found in a sack. These were few examples of the torture that our beloved ones suffer at the hands of Pakistani security forces.
Tawar: How satisfied are you with the commissions about missing persons? Have you presented your list to the commission?
Qadeer Baloch: You asked about the commission for missing person so I want to tell you that the commission is also helpless like other institutions. Now they also speak the same language as the Intelligence agencies because at the time of hearing we were sitting parallel to each other and whatever the intelligence agencies were saying the head of the commission was saying the same thing. As for the list yes we did give complete list to them and other departments. By the way talking about commission I remembered something! Few days ago a state run TV was running the news that the commission has announced that missing Jalil Reki, Sangat Sana, Ghaffar Langove, and Sameer Rind along with other 18 Baloch activists are in the custody of intelligence agencies.
This is the work of commission you see! Gharraf Langove’s body was found on 1st Jun 2011, two months later Sameer Rind was killed, on 22 November 2011 Jalil Reki’s body was found and Sangat Sana’s mutilated body was discovered on 13 February 2012. The news of their martyrdom was published in newspapers and recently there was an editorial on a national newspaper about their killing. The commission by making such announcements is rubbing salt to the wounds of their families.
I leave it on you to decide that how happy and satisfied of the families of abducted Baloch would be from such a commission. These commissions are just lip service that is why we have boycotted them.
Tawar: How many cases the Supreme Court has resolved so far? Have you ever been called to give evidence?
Qadeer Baloch: Supreme Court has not resolved a single case from Balochistan neither did it recovered any missing person. It has been around eight year now since Ali Asghar Bangulzai’s case was submitted to Supreme Court whereas he has been missing from past elven year. In March 2011 we went to Islamabad and established our camp there and on 17 March 2011 in the Supreme Court of Pakistan a three-judge bench headed by Justice Javid Iqbal was assigned to hear the cases of missing persons. The families of missing persons from Balochistan also took part in that hearing; they presented their witnesses and evidence. The families of Ali Asghar Bangulzai, Jalel Reki, Dr Deen Mohammad, Ghaffar Langove, Zakir Majeed, Sameer Rind, Iqbal Baloch, Siddique Edo and Kareem Jan Baloch stood in witness box and gave evidence. They also present their witnesses.
The witnesses of Jalil Reki – Amna Janjua, Nasrullah Baloch and Shahzad Zaffar told the judge on oath that Aslam Raisani, the Chief Minister of Balochistan, told them that the ISI has admitted to abduct Jalil Reki. The FIR of Jalil Reki’s abduction is registered against ISI’s brigadier Saad Khatak and head of FC Major General Saleem Nawaz.
Justice Javid Iqbal has heard our full evidence and ordeals and assured that our loved ones will reach home even before we arrive there. This news was given full coverage by electronic and print media. We hadn’t even reached to the protest camp when we started to receive phone calls. People from Balochistan were congratulating us and distributing sweets because the order of Supreme Court was not ordinary news.
We went back to Balochistan with the hope that our loved ones will be releases soon but one month later we received the dead body of Ghaffar Langove which was followed by mutilated and tortured bodies of Sameer Rind, Jalil Reki and Sangat Sana Baloch. Now you tell me how should we believe the Pakistani Courts or Judiciary?
Tawar: Why the released/recovered people are not brought before the media?
Qadeer Baloch: If you’re talking about Intelligence agencies, how will they bring them before media when they’re in denial about their abductions and whereabouts? If they bring them before media they (ISI) will be humiliated and their dirty secrets will be exposed to world community. If you mean why the abducted persons don’t come before media after their release then the reason is they are too scared to expose the Pakistani security agencies crimes against humanity. If they come on media and say everything about how they were treated in custody of security forces, then they will be re-arrested and killed. Only few lucky people have been released and they were warned before setting them free that if you talk to media or narrate your ordeal to anyone – you will be arrested again and killed. These people even do not speak to their own families in fear of being arrested again.
In the beginning few people came before media and exposed the torture they suffered but they were later arrested and killed. The example of Shaheed Nasir Dagarzai is enough in this regards.
Tawar: Why did the families of Missing person rejected the offer of financial assistance from the Commission?
Qadeer Baloch: As you are aware that Baloch Nation has its own culture and traditions. When engaged with an enemy we do not take blood money but people take their revenge. No matter if the enemy is their own (from same Nation, tribe) or a foreigner. Sometime it takes years to get the revenge. According Baloch tradition (Tribal code) if a person is killed then tribal elders will go to the house of the victim – in Balochi it is called “Meyd” meaning to go and ask for pardon – the family of the victim often forgives the perpetrator without taking blood money.
However, here [with Pakistan] the situation is different. The enemy abducts our beloved ones either in broad day light or in the darkness of night and then subjects them to inhuman torture for several years. Later they’re [the loved ones] killed and their bodies dumped in deserted areas. The victims are absolutely innocent; they committed no crime whatsoever. The perpetrators also psychologically torture the families of these victims for years and then offer them money. If someone asks you to give me your child, I will torture him/her for years and then kill him/her. For this you will be paid whatever sum you want – this a matter of shame for a Baloch to sell their martyrs. Similarly, the abducted Baloch who are bearing enemy’s torture and humiliation; how do you expect their families to take money and enjoy life?
These people (Baloch loved ones) have been abducted for raising voice for their freedom and freedom of Balochistan. They have been abducted and killed for speaking against the illegal occupation of their motherland. Selling their sacrifices in return of money is not a part of Baloch tradition. However, there might be such traditions in other nations.
Tawar: How satisfied are you with media about your struggle?
Qadeer Baloch: We have been continuously struggling for two year and we are not satisfied with the role of print and electronic media at all. However, among print media we satisfied with two very small newspapers ‘TAWAR’ and there is a new newspaper called ‘GIROKH’ and among electronic media we’re satisfied with only VSH NEWS.
As for as Pakistani media concerned there are few anchor-persons who in their personal capacity or on humanitarian basis have taken interest in our struggle. Those people include Hamid Mir of Geo TV, Sofia Bibi ex-anchor-person of Dawn TV, Mohammad Hanif of BBC Urdu, Riyaz Suhail and Sherjail have been co-operative and we’re satisfied with them.
Believe me twice I had Press Conferences in Karachi Press Club and the presence print and electronic media was almost non-existence. On 11 March we took out a rally from Art Council to Karachi Press Club, there was no media at all. The BBC had also reported about this.
Tawar: Are you getting any sort of financial support from Baloch Nation?
Qadeer Baloch: The amount of love, respect and encouragement that I am getting from Baloch Nation is more than the help of entire world. The hunger strike camp is not a business camp. It is a requirement as well as a source to be in contact with families of Baloch Missing Persons and martyrs. From here the voice of the families of Baloch martyrs and abducted persons reaches to the world community. As for you’re concerned about financial difficulties so I want to tell you that families of abducted Baloch help run the camp. Well, not all families are capable of help but some prominent families contribute to our camp. Other than that we do not get any help from abroad or internally. We are always ready for any accountability for this.
Tawar: What are the feelings of the families Baloch victims their loved one?
Qadeer Baloch: The families of martyrs and abducted Baloch are pretty hopeful. If any of their loved ones return alive and safe from the custody of Pakistani intelligence agencies that is good, but if they are martyred in custody we will be happy that our beloved one has sacrificed his life for freedom of motherland. Few people are lucky to embrace martyrdom for the protection of their motherland. There are mothers who say that “My son has been martyred for his mother land and I wish I too was martyred for the same cause”. Every Baloch mother, father, brother and sister’s feeling is that unlucky is the person who do not wish martyrdom for his/her motherland.
Tawar: In Karachi, do feel like you’re among your own people or in a foreign land?
Qadeer Baloch: feeling aloneness in Karachi is out of question because Karachi is also a part of Balochistan – if Balochistan become independence Karachi will remain with Balochistan because historically Karachi was part Balochistan. The love of the Baloch of Karachi always forces me to come to here. After Quetta, Karachi is the place where we organise most of our rallies and protest demonstrations. It is my own country and I get even more respect here than in home – this love comes from my mothers, daughters and sons. One feels loneliness when (s)he live among foreigners; I am living among my own people.
Tawar: Due to continuous hunger strike have your ever felt depressed or fed up?
Qadeer Baloch: This is such a great mission where depression and getting tired is out of question because when early in the morning [10 o clock] I open the camp and see the faces of Baloch martyrs and abducted person; it makes my heart feel calm and my resolve fresh. When I feel the smell of the fragrance of the blood of martyrs my heart and mind become refreshed and all the tiredness disappears by itself. When I see the picture of my son, Jalil Reki, then I say to myself that alas I too was martyred for my motherland like you.
So, because of the pictures of the Martyrs and abducted Baloch I never get tired depressed or feel alone. Additionally, the love of Baloch nation has erased my all worries.
Tawar: You have been threatened to end the protest, what do you think about your recent arrest and release?
Qadeer Baloch: Ever since I started this protest I have been under the radar of ISI, FC and other security agencies. I have never been scared of their threats before neither do I fear them now. There have always been hurdles when people chose the difficult path. I am receiving threats here [in Karachi]. They have dismantled my protest camp three times and after that I was arrested along with two other friends. They detained us for four hours and then freed us but I am not scared of these acts. We faced similar difficulties when we were protesting in Islamabad. Twice we went to Islamabad and the police have arrested us and detained for hours but later released us.
Courtesy: DailyTawar
Translate by: BalochWarna